Thompson, 28, added: “I’m sure Gary would have been immensely proud of my return back on the pitch.

“He was more than my agent, he was a true friend.”

Anyone watching Thompson’s return could not have helped but be moved by such an inspiring comeback.

When it came to working out a schedule to rebuild his fitness, the Manchester United academy product made a point of meeting Rochdale manager Keith Hill and his backroom team in person.

Thompson explained: “I had lost 2½ stone, I was yellow — with no hair and no eyebrows.

“I was frail and vulnerable. But a brave man will show you when he’s vulnerable and will have no shame in doing so. I wanted them to see me, to see what state I was in, but also to see that the fire was back.

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